Pelissier - Fearless watercolor for beginners: adventurous painting techniques to get you started

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LEAVES LACE

Watercolor on paper

17" 29" (43cm 74cm)

I think it takes courage to be an artist and to express yourself by any art practice, because you are showing a personal part of yourself to the world and exposing yourself to criticism and praise. I would like to dedicate this book to all the artists who are taking risks in sharing their creations and living a creative life.

CHAPTER 1
Before You Start

CHAPTER 2
What You Will Need

CHAPTER 3
Basic Techniques

CHAPTER 4
Techniques for Adding Texture

CHAPTER 5
Incorporating Mixed Media

CHAPTER 6
A Few Last Thoughts

FREIGHTERS

Watercolor and watercolor pencils on paper

15" 22" (38cm 56cm)

After painting this picture with watercolors, I accentuated a few areas with watercolor pencils and then splashed the entire surface with lots of water. The watercolor pencil spreads when the paper is covered in water and thus accentuates the splashed effect. This technique works well with marine themes.

The first time you painted with watercolors, you might have been surprised by this medium, which seems to have a life and mind of its own, as the paint swiftly moves across the paper.

It is also translucent, which means marks are not easily covered. Watercolor can feel like an unpredictable and unforgiving medium at first.

This is what makes watercolor both challenging and exciting. With experience and the right tools you will learn how to gain some control over the paint, be able to predict how the pigments will behave, master different techniques and learn how to fix mistakes. Even though an element of chance will always be part of the appeal, you can enjoy a fearless and relaxed approach to watercolor painting.

Watercolor is a very versatile medium that can look quite traditional or contemporary and is suited to a variety of styles from photorealism to abstract, from low contrast to very high contrast, from precise to loose.

It can be painted in a traditional transparent way on paper or it can be mixed with other media and painted on a variety of supports: Yupo paper, canvas, paper prepared with medium or gesso, paper mounted on board, and more.

This book will give you an overview of some of the many possibilities watercolor painting offers. You will learn a series of basic skills that will give you the knowledge you need to get started. The book consists of three main parts:

• before you paint (preparation, planning and materials)
• when you paint (techniques)
• after you paint (assessment and finishing)

For some techniques there are a variety of ways to achieve the desired result. I dont believe there is just one way or one technique that will work for everyone. I would like you to choose what you think will work for your particular style or taste, and leave behind what wont work for you.

Each new technique is illustrated with a step-by-step demo, and some include links to online videos that show how to apply that technique to a specific painting or that share exercises to help you practice.

You will learn about preparation, materials and various techniques: washes, painting wet on wet and wet on dry, blending or layering colors, preserving the white of your paper, lifting color, achieving a variety of edge qualities, adding textures to your paintings and fixing mistakes.

We will also discuss how to plan out your painting (one of the keys to growing confidence and avoiding confusion while painting), how to assess your own work and what finishes you can apply.

THE TREE PLACE

Watercolor and gouache on paper mounted on board

Triptych, three pieces each 24" 24" (61cm 61cm)

Dont feel like you need to have all of these products in order to start painting and creating. Begin with the techniques and exercises that require materials you already have or the basic necessities: watercolor paints, paper and brushes. Then, as you progress through the book, add a few new mediums and materials as they strike your fancy. Pretty soon you will know what suits you and where your passions lie, and youll have the tools and materials you need to follow your painting dreams.

Paper: 90-, 140- or 300-lb. (190gsm, 300gsm or 640gsm) hot-pressed, cold-pressed or rough, prestretched or unstretched; Yupo paper

Watercolor paint: pans or tubes in your choice of colors (should include at least six primaries)

Palette: watercolor, ceramic or butchers tray

Brushes: of your choice (rounds and flats in sizes 1, 10 and 20 and a few mop or hake brushes are good to start)

Other basic tools and materials: brayer, sponges, droppers, spray bottle, hair dryer, masking fluid and silicone brush, ruler, scissors, craft knife, tissues, cups or glasses for water, small bowls, fixative, varnish, wax medium, gel medium

For stretching paper: board or foamcore, tub of water, stapler or tape, paper stretcher

For image transfer: pencils, pens, graphite or carbon paper, projector, light box, storage box, linkable fluorescent lights, box cutter, extension cord, Plexiglas

Materials for adding texture: soap, granulation medium, alcohol (isopropyl or rubbing), acetone, bleach, lemon juice, gouache, salt, rice, shapes cut from wax paper, thread, wax crayons, plastic wrap, toothbrush, hair brush, small stiff-bristled brush, tools for scratching such as painting knives and plastic cards

Mixed media: oil pastels, chalk pastels, ink, India ink, acrylic paint, colored pencils, watercolor pencils and crayons, markers, ink pens, pencils, graphite, tissue paper, collage paper, sewing machine, needles, thread

CLICK IT! WATCH IT! DOWNLOAD IT!

You will find icons and directives similar to these throughout the book. They are your key to unlocking terrific FREE bonus content, content that includes downloadable PDFs, video demonstrations and tips from the author. All bonus content is linked through